2012 NFL DRAFT:

2012 CHARGERS SCHEDULE:

BOLTHYPE PODCAST:

BOLTHYPE BABES:

This is probably the best mock I have done so far, which is to be expected after the combine workouts and free agency signings. There are still many Pro Days ahead, so things will obviously change some. Assuming the draft was today, this is how I project the first round will end up:

1. Oakland - JaMarcus Russell, QBRussell solidified his status as the QB prospect with the highest ceiling. Raiders have shown strong interest and all indications are this is the pick for them.

2. Detroit - Brady Quinn, QBQuinn Would thrive in Mike Martz's pass-happy system. Needs to improve decision making and composure and would do well to sit behind Kitna for a year, much like Carson Palmer did in Cincinatti.

3. Cleveland - Adrian Peterson, RBTerrible running game (2nd worst in the NFL) gets instantly better with a Peterson/Lewis rushing attack. Combined with Kelen Winslow and Braylon Edwards, the Browns are looking to put together a scary offense by adding 'AD'

4. Tampa Bay - Calvin Johnson, WRThe best overall player in the draft falls to Tampa Bay because the top 3 teams have needs elsewhere. One of the worst offenses in the league gets major help by adding Calvin Johnson.

5. Arizona - Joe Thomas, OTPerfect example where best player available and biggest need are one in the same. Thomas is off the board one spot from where D'brickashaw was taken last year.

6. Washington - Alan Branch, DTAlan Branch paired up with Cornelius Griffin would make running the ball on the Redskins a virtual impossibility. DT is obviously a major need and Branch is the best tackle prospect in the draft and an incredibly strong player.

7. Minnesota - Gaines Adams, DEPartial blame for their terrible pass defense was a lack of pressure on the QB. The best pure pass rusher in the draft is what this team needs, so they take Gaines Adams and keep him playing with his hand on the ground.

8. Houston - LaRon Landry, SHis stock soared after an impressive combine. The Texans have needs all over the place, but they could certainly use help in the secondary and Landry is a legit top 10 pick. He helps them in a tough AFC South.

9. Miami - Leon Hall, CBLeon Hall makes a lot of sense for this team. Hall proved his speed at the combine and has shown to be a shut down corner. He is the best prospect at his postion and along with Jason Allen, would help the secondary make plays while Joey Porter and Jason Taylor provide the pass rush.

10. Atlanta - Jamaal Anderson, DELosing Kearny to Seattle is a blow to an already thin D-line. Anderson has great potential and is a freakish athlete who helps provide a good pass rush as a 4-3 DE.

11. San Francisco - Adam Carriker, DTCarriker fits the Mike Nolan 3-4 perfectly. The 49ers are gearing up for a playoff berth in the NFC West, and Carriker is a blue-chip prospect who impressed at the Senior Bowl. Nolan coached the Senior bowl and knows first-hand what Carriker can do.

12. Buffalo - Marshawn Lynch, RBBuffalo let Willis McGahee go, and now has a big hole to fill. The Bills added some offensive linemen and also added Anthony Thomas to help in the run game. Lynch is the total package and makes sense for a team that scored only 9 TDs on the ground last year.

13. St. Louis - Amobi Okoye, DTThe Rams need help up front and seem to like Okoye alot. Amobi is extremely young for an NFL prospect and there is no telling how good he will be in the future. Had one of the best performances at the Senior Bowl and came to the combine even bigger and stronger.

14. Carolina - Reggie Nelson, SIf he doesnt get taken here, Reggie Nelson is gone by the time Jacksonville picks at 17. Nelson improved his draft stock by turning in a great Pro Day performance and showcasing great speed. The Panthers, like many teams, need a starting Safety and Nelson is the best on the board.

15. Pittsburg - Patrick Willis, LBWith good value at DE in the second round, the Steelers can go with the best linebacker prospect in Patrick Willis. 3-4 or 4-3, Willis fits in both schemes inside. Highly productive and extremely tough, Willis is exactly what Pittsburg represents.

16. Green Bay - Greg Olsen, TEFilling a major need, Olsen is an able blocker but a far better reciever. Really the only first round TE prospect, the Pack could use a guy like Olsen to work mid-field and create match-up problems. Olsen also has the speed to get deep and comes from a great pedigree of Miami Tight Ends.

17. Jacksonville - Michael Griffin, SThey really want Reggie Nelson, but will 'settle' for Mike Griffin . Highly productive at safety and a demon on special teams, Griffin played a lot of games and got better every year. He has a great blend of size and speed and would not be considered a reach at pick 17.

18. Cincinnati - Lawrence Timmons, LBThe Bengals take Timmons due to his ability to play both inside and outside. A great athlete with great speed for the position, Cinncinatti fans would love Timmons here.

19. Tennessee - Dwayne Bowe, WR Darrelle Revis, CBBowe is the pick after a great pro-day, posting 4.4 speed. The Titans want Vince Young to be successful and will need to give him playmakers on the outside. Bowe is a great prospect who has size, speed, and experience against tough competition.

20. New York Giants - Paul Posluszny, LBLaVar Arrington was a major dissapointment and the team needs serious help at OLB. Posluszny is the pick and comes in and starts immediately. The Giants cant afford to mess this one up, and Poz is a blue-chip prospect who is excellent value at pick 20.

21. Denver - Brandon Meriweather, SWhile this team needs help on the D-line, there is good value to be had in the second round. This team also needs help at Safety and Meriweather is a first round talent who has some character questions. This never seems to scare away Shanahan so look for him to snag the best Safety prospect on the board.

22. Dallas Cowboys - Darrelle Revis, DBWade Phillips is going to like Revis here because he fills a need and will remind him of Quinten Jammer, in terms of tackling ability and size. Dallas will continue to build up their 34 defense with young talent.

23. Kansas City - Levi Brown, OTThe Chiefs would be estatic to land Levi Brown here, and they don't hesitate to draft him. Levi Brown is tremendous value pick and fills the void that Willie Roaf left.

24. New England - Chris Houston, CBA huge senior campaign followed by a great combine helped his stock greatly, and with all the signings that New England made in the offseason its now clear that they will address the secondary in the first round.

25. New York Jets - Jarvis Moss, DEMoss would be a great value pick here and would play outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense. He adds a speed rusher to their system and would make the plays in the backfield that they missed when Abraham left.

26. Philadelphia - Jon Beason, LBBeason played all the linebacker spots in college and while he isnt very big, he is thick and always around the action. He won't hessitate to stick someone and knows the game of football. He is a bottom-first round talent who fills a major need in Philly.

27. New Orleans - Marcus McCauley, CBThe Saints will look to address their secondary woes in the draft, and they should like McCauley's blend of size and speed. He is a good pro prospect with all the tools and has the versatility that the Saints covet.

28. New England - David Harris, LBIs Harris a reach here? Yes and no. The Patriots have stacked their roster and can afford to take Harris a little early. Harris had a monster senior campaign and showed great speed at the combine. He fits the mold of a Patriots linebacker and fills a need. He wont be around for their second round pick and Beason and Alexander dont seem to fit their system too well.

29. Baltimore - Aaron Sears, OLThe Ravens will have to figure out if Sears is a Right Tackle or if he is a Guard. Either way, they could use help on the O-line and Sears is slightly more versatile than Blalock, but Blalock is the better pure Guard prospect.

30. San Diego - Robert Meachem, WRThe Chargers are left with choices at Wide Reciever but not much at Safety in the first round. Jarrett was highly productive, and Ginn is an amazing playmaker, but Meachem has the size and breakaway speed to take the offense to the next level.

31. Chicago - Justin Blalock, OGProbably the best true Guard prospect in the draft, Blalock is very strong and will play nasty. With so much riding on Grossman and Benson, the Bears must have elite blocking and Blalock fits the bill. Great value at the bottom of round one.

32. Indianapolis - Tedd Ginn, Jr., WRThe Colts saw what Devin Hester did to them in the Super Bowl, and by adding Ginn they too get a potential All-Pro return man. Tony Dungy will work Ginn into the offense as WR as well, and with Marvin Harrison finally getting his ring who knows how much longer he plays. Reggie Wayne will take over the #1 spot if Harrison does leave, with Ginn becoming the perfect #2 guy.

Chargers.com

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NFL.com

San Diego Union - Tribune

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ESPN - AFC West

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